I am text block. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Anterior ankle impingement (also referred to as athlete’s ankle or footballer’s ankle): Ankle impingement occurs when bone or soft tissue at the front of the ankle joint becomes inflamed. Symptoms include ankle pain and swelling. This can limit the ability to bend the ankle up. Walking uphill is often painful. Osteophytes (bone spurs) can be seen on X-ray. Arthroscopy can be used to shave away inflamed tissues and bone spurs.
Arthrofibrosis: Scar tissue can form within the ankle. This can lead to a painful and stiff joint, known as arthrofibrosis. Ankle arthroscopy can be used to identify the scar tissue and remove it.
Infection: Infection in the joint space cannot be treated with antibiotics alone. It often requires urgent surgery to wash out the joint. This can be done with arthroscopy.
Loose bodies: Cartilage, bone, and scar tissue can become free floating in the joint and form what is referred to as loose bodies. Loose bodies can be painful and can cause problems such as clicking and catching. Locking of the ankle joint may occur. Ankle arthroscopy can be used to find and remove the loose bodies.
Osteochondral defect (OCD): These are areas of damaged cartilage and bone in the ankle joint. OCDs usually are caused by injuries to the ankle such as fractures and sprains. Common symptoms include ankle pain and swelling. Patients may complain of catching or clicking in the ankle. The diagnosis is made with a combination of a physical exam and imaging studies. Imaging may include X-rays, MRI, or CT scan. The treatment is based on the size, location, and stability of the OCD. The patient’s symptoms and activities also are considered. Surgery often consists of scraping away the damaged cartilage and drilling small holes in the bone to promote healing. Bone grafting and cartilage transplant procedures also can be performed.
Posterior ankle impingement: This occurs when the soft tissue at the back of the ankle becomes inflamed. Pointing the foot down can be painful. This overuse syndrome occurs commonly in dancers. It can be associated with an extra bone called an os trigonum. The problem tissue can be removed with arthroscopy.
Synovitis: The soft tissue lining of the ankle joint (synovial tissue) can become inflamed. This causes pain and swelling. It can be caused by injury and overuse. Inflammatory arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis) and osteoarthritis also can cause synovitis. Ankle arthroscopy can be used to surgically remove inflamed tissue that does not respond to nonsurgical treatment.
Unexplained ankle symptoms: Occasionally patients develop symptoms that cannot be explained by other diagnostic techniques. Arthroscopy provides the opportunity to look directly into the joint. The surgeon can then identify problems that may be treated with surgery.
Elective arthroscopy is not appropriate for some patients. Patients with severe ankle arthritis may not benefit from arthroscopic surgery. Patients with active infections or other medical problems may not be appropriate surgical candidates.
